The Croissant: How Austria's Pastry Became French

In this episode of The Story of France, Lucas and Luna explore the surprising origins of the croissant. Far from being a French invention, the croissant traces its roots to the Austrian kipferl, brought to Paris by a Viennese artillery officer turned baker, August Zang, in 1839. Zang's Boulangerie Viennoise on Rue de Richelieu introduced Parisians to the light, flaky pastry that would become a national icon. The episode traces the evolution from kipferl to croissant, the role of Marie Antoinette (a myth!), and how French bakers transformed the recipe with butter and yeast. Along the way, we discuss the 19th-century mania for Viennese baking, the development of laminated dough, and the cultural symbolism of the croissant today. Perfect for anyone who loves history and a good pastry. #Croissant #Kipferl #AugustZang #BoulangerieViennoise #MarieAntoinette #VienneseBakery #FrenchPastry #LaminatedDough #FoodHistory #CulinaryHistory #19thCenturyFrance #RueDeRichelieu #Paris #Austria #BelleÉpoque #PainViennois #History #FexingoHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo